JJASF's Profile
2011 Favorite Places to Eat - Tampa / St. Pete
My standards for sushi/sashimi are very high. And actually Sohois no where near my favorite. Just don't get your assessment of Japon. sashimi was standard, rolls belo.
kaisen in Carrollwood by far is the best in town
2011 Favorite Places to Eat - Tampa / St. Pete
Cafe Japon? really? I think that was the worst sashimi I've had besides a buffet. Did you try the geso app at soho? It's great. Yes they do have a lot of fancy rolls, but some are really good. Much better than anything at Japon. Although I don't do cream cheese in my sushi so I couldn't comment on that.
2011 Favorite Places to Eat - Tampa / St. Pete
Refinery has NO ambiance! They have a soda machine in the middle of the dining room! No wine list either-strange!
Epcot Food and Wine Festival - Please stop the themed nights
I don't know about Asia but I went to Party of the Senses for Spain and loved it. There were james Beard nominated chefs and other well-known chefs from al over Florida as well as the U.S. One of our local chefs Felix piedra from Vizcaya restaurant was there. Laura Reilly from the St Pete times wrote something in her blog about it.
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
I really screwed up my post! I'm a regular at VIZCAYA.
I get a little irritated when Columbia and Ceviche are recommended so often for Spanish food.
Columbia is beautiful to look at but the food is like a cuban cafeteria. It is NOT Spanish.
Ceviche is chain now and I would say the food is substandard at best.
When I say I love Spain I mean the country not the restaurant.
The most authentic Spanish food that tastes like you are in Spain is Vizcaya restaurant in Carrollwood. It's not the cool place to hang out or a tourist attraction---its a cozy little restaurant in a suburban neighborhood.
As I said before the chef is Basque and they are known for having some of the best food in the world. He's very creative with traditional dishes. This place or the chef just doesn't get enough publicity!!
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
I was not recommending Columbia. I was talking about Vizcaya. The chef there is unbelievable
Come on Tampa!!!!
I love Mise en Place. I was there Friday and had another unbelievable meal. we had like 5 appetizers and an entree. The foies gras was melt in your mouth delicious, oysters were lovely--can't say enough! The service there is wonderful. Maybe urban eater isn't used to such a creative menu. That would be understandable then that you wouldn't like it.
Best spot in Tampa/St Pete area for Stone Crab?
Jenn's wines in Carrolwood sells stone crabs for $14.99 a pound I think. She sells out fast so you have to preorder
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
I'm a regular. I love the food from Spain--the country not the restaurant. The chef is really talented. He is basque (which is the northern part of Spain which is known for having the best food in the world) and he's creative with traditional dishes as well as other dishes. His food is really just like eating in Spain. I really think it should get a lot more recommendations than other places like Ceviche and Columbia that are really all show not quality food.
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
I LOVE the octopus ---Pulpo Gallego. The cold octopus is also amazing!
The scoop on Cuban food in Tampa/Sarasota- La Terasita
There is a little cafeteria on lois next to Leto high school called Tico and Marisol. I got takeout there once and was pleasantly surprised.
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
Try Vizcaya restaurant in Carrollwood. It is authentic Spanish food from Spain not Cuba. Many restaurants here call themselves Spanish and are actually Cuban or Latin American food. Their seafood and tapas are really great and unique. I think it is a great buy also for the quality.
Tampa for 3 days - What are the best places to eat? Best places to see?
Quite honestly, I can't believe anyone recommends Columbia for food. The restaurant is beautiful but the food is not awesome--just average.
TOP TAPAS IN FLA
The closest to the food I had in Spain would have to be:
Tampa: Vizcaya Restaurante and Tapas bar in Carrollwood. Everything there is super fresh and delicious. I've went to the new Ceviche recently and the food was just not very good. I have never had anything less than an awesome meal at Vizcaya.
Miami: Casa Juancho has incredible seafood tapas.
Come on Tampa!!!!
I've had quite a few things on the menu. The sea bass is great. It melts in your mouth. Their paella is wonderful too. The chef there is amazing with sauces so any of the entrees are a must. The filet with a peppercorn sauce is just awesome. I order that alot. For tapas, I would probably suggest the croquetas, octopus, meatballs with peaches, or avocado and shrimp. If you like oxtail, that is also worth a try.
Come on Tampa!!!!
I'm surprised more people don't suggest Vizcaya. I know it's not in South Tampa but it's so worth the drive to Carrollwood. The cuisine is Spanish from Spain not Tampa. I've been to other tapas places in town and there is no comparison. Vizcaya's menu is to die for.
